Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Notchback type 3: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Volkswagen Golf
75%
MOT pass rate · 1,830,545 vehicles
Volkswagen Notchback type 3
82%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen Notchback type 3 (82%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen Notchback type 3 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 75% | 82% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 25% | 18% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 ✓ | 2.1 |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 117,668 mi | 76,980 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 1,830,545 | 1 |
Most common faults
Volkswagen Golf
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Volkswagen Notchback type 3
- Nearside Front Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)
- Offside Front Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)
- Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
- Nearside Front Upper Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
- Nearside Front Upper Torsion bar slight play at an end fixing (2.4.E.2)
- Offside Front Upper Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen Notchback type 3 (82%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Volkswagen Golf report Full Volkswagen Notchback type 3 report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.